RESIDENTS and businesses in the borough are invited to sponsor rooms at a historic community building in Finchley to help save it from closure.

Avenue House in East End Road faces a black hole after losing £35,200 in its annual income but its estate trust has come up with an idea to boost funds.

Companies and individuals can pay to have a room in the grade II listed mid Victorian mansion named after them for five years and the money will go straight into the estate.

Manager of Avenue Estate Trust, Janett Durrant said: “This could be a good way for people to advertise their businesses and we would be able to negotiate further benefits with them.”

The trust has suggested its main rooms be sponsored for around £25,000 and £10,000 for the smaller rooms.

If Avenue House does not raise £30,000 by the end of this month it could be closed to the public and handed over to Barnet Council.

Ms Durrant said: “We are really grateful because people are coming forward to help and the money is coming in, but at the moment not fast enough.

“At present we have received approximately £5,000 through donations so we are still very short of what is required.

For more information contact Janett Durrant on 02083 467 812.

To make a donation to the estate visit www.avenuehouse.org.uk or send a cheque made payable to Avenue House Estate Trust to Avenue House, 17 East End Road, N3 3QE.